India to soon add Russia-made Tushil and Tamal stealth frigates to Navy. Why this is a big deal

If all goes as planned, the Indian Navy will receive a major boost after Russia plans to deliver two promised stealth frigates — one by September and the other by early next year.

The two warships, to be christened Tushil (shield in Sanskrit) and Tamal were originally meant to be delivered at the end of 2022 but it got delayed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, payment issues between the two nations and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Let’s take a closer look at why these two stealth frigates will be a big deal to India and boost the country’s maritime capabilities.

Stealth frigates, explained

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Before delving into the topic of the two stealth frigates from Russia, let’s understand what are these warships and why they are important to naval forces.

A stealth frigate is a type of ship which is especially used as a war vessel and is concealed from the navy vessels of other countries. It is an important warfare tactic that is used by nations across the world.

It employs stealth technology that makes it harder for it to be detected by one or more radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods.

The major feature that is taken into account while constructing a stealth ship is about right angles. Conventional ships are designed in such a way that they deflect and reflect the radar and infrared rays that hit. This reflecting surface is known as the Radar Cross Section (RCS). By not constructing the ships with any right angles, such deflection and emerging RCS are avoided, making the ship a stealth vessel.

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The technology for a stealth ship was first developed and used by the German navy. Over the years, almost every country has adopted the technology quite successfully.

The two vessels in question

As per multiple reports, the two stealth frigates — Tushil and Tamal — being constructed in Russia are set to be delivered soon.

“First ship Tushil is ready for acceptance by the Indian Navy and is scheduled to be delivered by September. The commissioning crew reached Russia earlier this month,” a defence official told The Hindu, adding, “The second ship Tamal is expected to be delivered by February 2025.”

The Print has reported that around 200 personnel from the Indian Navy are currently in Russia to carry out acceptance trials of Tushil, which should be inducted into the force by September.

The ships are a result of a 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement between New Delhi and Moscow. In October of that year, both nations agreed to four stealth — two directly imported and two to be manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). A $1-billion deal was subsequently signed for the two frigates under direct purchase.

The two ships being built at the Yantar shipyard in Russia are follow-ons of the six warships of the Talwar class.

The ships are being built as per Indian Navy’s specific requirements. The Navy has said, “The ships with a potent combination of state-of-the-art Indian and Russian weapons and sensors are equipped to operate in littoral and blue waters, both as a single unit and as a consort in a naval task force.

They will feature stealth technology and will also be equipped with Surface to Surface Missiles (SAM), sonar system, surface surveillance radar, communication suite and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) system, along with Russian SAMs and gun mounts.

Interestingly, these two frigates, according to a report in Eurasian Times, were originally constructed for the Russian navy under the names Admiral Butakov and Admiral Istomin, respectively.

They were subsequently sold to India. However, the building and acquisition of these frigates have not been easy. Powered by engines from Zorya-Mashproekt of Ukraine, India had to buy them separately — on account of the ongoing war — and then send them to the Russian shipyard.

It was in August 2023 that Alexey Rakhmanov, director-general of the United Shipbuilding Corporation of Russia, said that the delay in procuring the engines and shipping it to Russia along with other issues were the reasons for the delay. Rakhmanov further said that delays in payments, attributed to Western sanctions on the use of the global SWIFT interbank system , had also contributed to the setbacks in the frigates’ construction timeline, reports Eurasian Times.

A boost to Indian Navy

Stealth frigates such as Tushil and Tamal with their cutting-edge technology and modern weapons will undoubtedly boost the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities.

It will also help the Indian Navy to secure the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). A month ago, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Securing free navigation, rule-based world order, anti-piracy and peace and stability in the region are our biggest objectives. The Navy is playing a crucial role in fulfilling them.”

With vessels such as Tushil and Tamal, India also hopes that it will contain China in the IOR. In recent years, Beijing has been expanding its influence in the Indian Ocean, much to the concern of countries like India, Australia and the United States.

China is of the belief the country has the right to operate in the Indian Ocean. A report in The Print says that it draws parallels with the Sea of Japan, where Japan does not hold exclusive control. Similarly, it is argued that the Indian Ocean is not India’s ocean.

Moreover, the stealth frigates also showcase India’s strength against old-time rival, Pakistan. Islamabad is being aided by China; in November 2021, China delivered to Pakistan its biggest stealth warship, a Type054 frigate.

It is safe to say as India continues to bolster its naval strength, it will be able to keep Pakistan and China at bay.

With inputs from agencies